Eleanor Marie (Grapes) Eichmann, age 88, passed away at Sanford Hospice Cottage early Sunday morning February 9, 2025, in Sioux Falls, SD surrounded by family. Eleanor was born on September 19, 1936, in the family home outside of Manchester, Iowa. She married Wilbert Franklin Eichmann (Willie) on December 23, 1956, in Salem, SD. After finding each other, Eleanor and Willie became inseparable, enjoying 66 years of marriage where they shared a life raising five children, enjoyed their grandchildren, great grandchildren, traveling much of North America, and sharing their faith through mission work.

Eleanor received her BA in Elementary Education with a minor in music. She spent a lifetime career in teaching, enjoying her 4th graders the most. Her students always enjoyed having her as their teacher, and she was known for having a tube of bright red lipstick sitting on her desk just in case onery little boys needed to be "sweetened up" with a kiss on the check.

Eleanor loved the Lord and was very active in the Lutheran Church. She directed the church choir, was the substitute organist, taught Sunday school, and was a Stephen minister, where she visited many member shut-ins giving spiritual and emotional support. During retirement, she joined Willie in mission work with Laborers For Christ, an organization that built, developed, and remodeled churches and schools throughout the country. While Willie was the project manager, Eleanor was the one who organized the worker's devotions, snack time, and even set up the laundry schedule. Wherever there was a need, she led the way.

Eleanor loved cooking, gardening, sewing, quilting, camping, and traveling across the US with Willie. She faithfully telephoned her loved ones to keep the family informed of all their adventures.

Eleanor is survived by her son, Calvin Eichmann and wife, Julie; daughter, Catherine Penning and husband, Mark; daughter Christine Cleveland and husband, Ed; daughter Carla Homan and husband, Frank; eleven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; and her sister Joy. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert; parents, Chester and Isadora; brother, Donald; and son Craig.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Sioux Falls Lutheran School.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00am Friday, February 14, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church, 601 N Cliff Ave, Sioux Falls, SD. The family will be present for visitation at church from 9:30am up to the time of the service on Friday. A light luncheon will be served at the church following the funeral service. The service will be streamed at https://www.facebook.com/FaithLutheranSiouxFalls/